Take stock of home security before the holidays

Throughout the year we're provided with opportunities to take stock of different aspects of our lives to see what areas are going well and what needs improving.  The weeks prior to school holidays are a good example of this, and with the Easter break coming up and many of us going away, it's time to check how safe your home and possessions will be while you're away.

Trellidor franchises countrywide have lots of experience responding to break-ins and suggest you print out the following list and use it as a guideline:

From the outside in

Starting at your gate and looking in towards the house, check that:

• Your perimeter fencing is in good order. Repair any holes or replace sections if necessary.
• There's a security company warning sign on the fence. Get one if you haven't.
• You know exactly who has keys and/or remote controls for your driveway gate and/or garage. Change the locks/signal frequency if unsure.
• Trees and shrubs around the perimeter don't offer hiding places for criminals. Get them trimmed or moved if necessary.
• There are no bins, benches, vehicles or pots providing an easy landing spot for criminals jumping over the wall or fence

• There are no tools, ladders or anything else lying around that could be used as a break-in weapon. Store these inside where they're inaccessible.

Physical security

Next, check the physical barriers you've put in place to prevent robbers from getting in.

• Is every window, no matter how small or inaccessible, secured with a dependable barrier? Sorting out weaknesses here needn't be excessively expensive because Trellidor has a range of reasonably priced burglar guards designed to do this job. Have a look at these at http://www.trellidor.co.za/products/burglar_guards.htm
• Is every external door secured against attack? You don't have to use conventional trellis-style gates if you don't like them. Visit www.trellidor.co.za to see roller shutters and security screens that assist with security as well as add some style to your home's exterior.

• Are your window and door barriers in good condition? If they're rusting, loose or broken in any way, consider replacing them with something more trustworthy, because you don't want to make it easy for would-be robbers to get in.

Electronic security

Speed and quiet are critical to intruders' chances of getting away with your possessions, so it's advisable to have a range of security systems in place at home, forcing them to face as many hurdles as possible to get into your home.   So, in addition to physical barriers:

• Install external sensors that will alert an armed response company to intruders.
• Install panic buttons in strategic areas, and/or purchase portable ones.
• Movement sensors inside the house are a good idea as long as you remember to activate them when you go away.
• CCTV is great if you can afford it.
• Check that you have good external lighting that leaves intruders no place to hide.

And finally...

• Let your armed response service know that you're going away and how to get hold of you in an emergency
• If you don't like the above option, at least let your neighbours know your movements and give them a spare key and alarm control button in case of emergencies.
• Lock inter-leading doors so that if intruders get into one section of the house, they can't get into others. Security doors in passageways and other areas are a good deterrent and could be trellis-style gates (choose one at http://www.trellidor.co.za/retractable_security.htm or lightweight aluminium roller shutters (check these out at http://www.trellidor.co.za/trellidor_rollerstyle.htm).
• And remember to cancel newspaper deliveries; get someone to clear out your postbox; and install timers on your lights so that the house looks occupied. That trusty neighbour will hopefully help again!